A/N: Umm.. Hi? There's not much much of an explanation to be made here. First things first, this entire story has been doused with intense flames of crack. Obviously the concept of 'Sakura living as a cat' popped up many times. Including other ideas, such as having her adopted or kidnapped by some Akatsuki goons.. (no offense towards Itachi and the rest! XD)
While most of the chapters involve Sakura's kittenhood, events never mentioned in canon will be written differently. I mean most by the way... BUT wait! I'm very eager to mess around with the plot and see how the results turns out.
Unfortunately, I never owned a cat...so her characteristics will be researched. And to be extra cautious, please excuse any grammar mistakes or incomplete changes found through out the story.
Special warning: Strong elements such as suspense, humor, murder, and sadness are widespread. Please do not forget that my version of Madara is a fake. Well..almost all of the story doesn't exist regardless! Plus, I don't specifically own the rights to either licensed anime or manga. *Sobs into a Kleenex tissue* I do claim ownership for the ideas featured in this crack fic.
I Am a Cat
1. Save us
October 10th came and went like any other day. Typically amongst the daily life cycle, people would lost a life then received more in return. Except tonight proved to be entirely different. Over in the distance, an unnatural occurrence bubbles beyond the clouds. It's presence barely bothered any of the usual trekkers who wandered in and out of the forest.
Some of them carelessly tossed around the idea that it was a passing storm left over from said typhoon season. But for whatever the reason may be, most of the stars outside during this time at night were missing.
For a moment more people walking along the trail started to decrease. The silence accompanied by lack of human intervention kept everything at an eerie halt, except for a pairs of autumn leaves slipping and sliding across the ground. Tree branches attached to their roots shook violently, as intense wind currents knocked them overhead.
Suddenly the alarming sound of metal scraping against one another signaled an intense battle amongst the thicket. Critters who hide with their pack mates curiously tracked down such noise. Two figures kicked and threw punches at each other.
The fight scene carried on until a tall blond haired figure buckled down to his knees in defeat. His kunai had slipped out ages ago, hidden further away in tall grass. If he were to outstretch his arm in hope of finding another weapon, the punk who cheated would slash off a finger or two.
Surely this young man has lost tonight. Frustration boiled in the pit of said ninja's stomach.
Tired out from such a challenging feat, his blue eyes closed shut in despair. 'Why can't I beat him! There must be another way..'
Suddenly the mysterious figure closes the gap between themselves "Seems like you've lost the battle already, yellow flash." it declares with a chuckle, " Such a fitting fate for a leader such as your self."
"Hold it right there! Don't even move, I'm not finished with you yet." he shouts in warning, waiting for something to happen.
Disobeying such a rude command, said man shifts away in blinding speed. Minato trembled nervously, not sure where the phantom will appear next. Out of nowhere a piercing scream soars into his ear drums. Recognizing the noise, "Kushina!" Yondaime grimaced when a gushing sound followed suit. Looking straight ahead, "...Has he killed Naruto?"
Bands of soldiers suddenly spilled out from their hidden spots in the forest.
Approaching their leader, one of them of them were wounded from fighting earlier. "Lord hokage, we've managed to remove your son off the perimeter."
Bewilderment struck him like a slap against the cheek.
How could they leave Kushina alone with that monster, yet retrace their steps so easily?
Shaking his head feverishly, "How can you guys act so stupid back there? We need backup, ASAP!"
The nins began shifting out of place, freezing in place once a menacing roar shook the ground to it's very core. Everyone stood still, too afraid to intertwine. Paralyzing steps bounced along the forest floor.
"I want half of this team to stay behind and search for Kushina. If you find my wife, pleases stand by and send for help via messenger hawk for the medical team while I go on ahead into the village along with the rest. Does anybody need me to repeat the order again?" Minato asked, voice shielding his anguish.
Barely answering their leader, each person nods their head slowly. Most of them had no clue how the remainder of the night would turn out. But it's better to try, then do nothing at all. The ones with enough courage chose themselves as they slipped away into another part of the forest, carefully following the exploited woman's fainting chakra surge over in a distance.
Left behind with the rest, Minato silently kept a spiritual bond with his wife. Kushina felt the warmth as well, gazing up at sky with an explosive pain surging through her entire body.
Closing her eyes, she slowly smiled as the tears ran down her skin. '...Minato my love, I cannot..hold out..for m..uch l-longer.'
.
.
.
Whoever thought such a humongous animal could spread damage in a single day. Obviously it needed help to cause havoc. With the aid of an alias, Kuruma managed to break into the village. But getting pushed back literally pressed it's buttons. Thanks to the aid of their own shinobi alliance, Kurama grumbled and growled in the cold.
Beforehand, many innocent lives had died. Regardless of sending the villagers underground, paw swipes and dangerous fires blown out of it's snout weakened the population within seconds.
Yet that didn't stop the stretched area of forest greenery existing beyond gates from dealing with the same effects.
Many trees and grass stubs caught ablaze as Kurama moved too and from. Such power pushed each and every animal down to their knees. Whether the destruction of their homes or intense burns, there wasn't any excuse to stop now.
Unfortunately none of them could fend off such a powerful bijuu. having no other choice but to flee. Adult deers pranced away in fear, not looking back as their children are barely able to follow. Birds assisted in their own escape route, wings cuttings through smoke projecting from the fiery acres.
Almost every creature ran for their lives. Except for a mere family tucked deep with an empty space belonging to a hollow tree. The musky spot had been abandoned by an owl troupe weeks before. It's new inhabitants were a mother cat and her small litter of kittens. She had been on her own for a while, barely remembering what it was like to live amongst a colony.
She hadn't relocated since then, getting used to the ways of the forest.
But what's suppose to happen now?
Outdoors began settling down. Previously the crackling noises of fragile bones brought on by spooked animals stomping over the smaller dwellers kept her at bay. If she were out there earlier with her kittens, it could have been them.
A mother cat and her brood had no business moving around in an unpredictable scenery. But regardless, she shouldn't be here any longer. Dying of hunger from lack of food or infections brought upon living in an unsanitary condition is much higher now. Perhaps maybe god could spare them. Unfortunately, that would never happen.
She needed to stay alive till the end...
Whether their home is left standing or not.
x-X-x-X-x
Out in an open field, a pointy black snout twitches and slithers through the mist. A random cloud of ash unfortunately slipped straight into the poor animal's outer breathing, causing it to sneeze loudly. Once the reaction simmered down, said mammal continues on it's quest.
No other has accompanied him.
After all, they must be tired from running away once it raided the area.
The escapee had been part of a group who successfully gotten out in time. But the thought of leaving behind more animalsMany trees were blown apart, some left standing by themselves with a few twigs hanging off. Curious for more, it began walking further into the forest.
His golden pupils looked deeper, coming across flatten stumps and trampled animals. Choking up at such a site, said fox moves along.
He was part of the wild pack that had fled earlier, only to decide canceling the trip. Choose to go against his their wishes, the wild mammal turned around and returned into the forest.
So far, what's been discovered turned his stomach.
Scurrying closer over to the deceased tree, the male kitsune backs away after an unappetizing scent rammed into his nostrils. Ears flatted in depression, 'They didn't even get a chance to open their eyes yet.' Slowly he gets back up on all four of his paws. Tears slowly oozed out of his eye lids.
At the moment, he didn't pay much mind to a sharp prickling bunching up on his tail. 'Whoever you are, please don't bite me. For today is the time to grieve in pure sorrow..'
'Over what though?' questions a young-in.
Snapping it's jaw shut in anger, 'This family perished from consumption of smoke while laying underneath burning branches.' he growled, 'Haven't you any sympathy?'
An eerie silence answered back.
Accepting the lack of response in return it carries on, ' Actually, never mind about all that. I feel rather ashamed for yelling at you.'
Certainly Mr. Fox wished to apologize for all the trouble he's caused. Trotting across on all fours, his body took a detour towards the back. But what's ahead proved to be a haunting meircale.
The visitor tilts its head, 'Have you seen my mother?'
'Mother? Y-you can't be one of the dead kittens I saw over there near the tree...' The he-kitsune yips, confused but astonished at such a discovery.
She couldn't really see which animal who had been making a fuss over her. The barking and yipping meant it was obviously a fox.
According to the sound of said creature's paws scraping along the dew, it was moving backwards?
He continued to move back in fear, oblivious to a mixed stampede over in the distance. At once the fox twitches one of his ears. Advancing off over by the bushes, he sits there until an abrupt decrease an activity. Swallows, rabbits, a couple of deer, even a specific couple of chipmunks. Together they rush past the oak trees and up rooted bushes.
Curling up in a ball, 'I can't dare to watch all these animals trample her..' the fox muses, carefully. Laying there for just a moment, his ears suddenly prick up. 'Wait a sec, perhaps I can save the kitten!' slowly tugging his tail away from view-point.
At last he made up his mind! It wasn't a difficult problem to solve. Prickling his fur in rage, the fox uses up any remaining power consisting in all four paws connected to his hidden skeletal system within the skin. Traveling at a decent pace, his thin body crosses over a few feet over to the center foliage of the area. Racing at a faster speed in hopes of beating them before they run her over, he snaps them wide open like a crocodile. The kitsune then lowers his snout into a random patch, striking at it in one turn.
Pulling up at the right time, a pink colored kitten floated up by the single hairs on the back of its neck. Randomly her body slants off in an odd angle, obviously being moved somewhere else. Twisting up each muscle in her face, she attempts to sniff out her surroundings. Where is this wandering fox taking her?
What seemed like a bust in harmonic plight fell through. Literally.
Kitsune-san hadn't slipped away on time, ending up bombarded by charging stags. Opening his mouth, a stressed vocalization blew up on the kitten's fur.
Twisting around in the male's grip, 'Mou, why is it so cold today?'
Surprised by her train of meowing, the edges of his fangs slide off her fur. Watching in complete horror as he drops the little fur ball. Skidding down to the earth in hopes of retrieving her again, instead his chin collides with a sharp rock. The hit sent a jolt into his nervous system. His golden eyes snapped shut, twisting up his features in a deadly cringe.
'Shit, seems like I didn't.. make it.'
Laying there, it had no clue of what's happening all around him. The swarm of neighboring animals were nowhere in the area. He had remained in place, bleeding from the wounded spot. Said fox's ribs cracked as a result of the bum-rush, making it difficult for him to breathe. However, it didn't care for this terrible condition brought upon his gentle soul. In fact, he's grateful to have stayed behind.
'..Now then, I'm sure that she'll do fine on her own.' the light orange fox mused, grinning mischievously. 'Or maybe not..'
Sadly, the kitten thought other wise. She had been randomly deposited out of range, tumbling in a loop, crashing into an unfamiliar coating of goop like essence. Flopping over on her right, a slippery sequential ride followed suit. Landing right in the middle, the movement stops on cue.
~Meanwhile in another part of the forest~
Mixtures of vocals belonging to the local animals over lapped in excitement. Even though some survived while others did not, they could repopulate the area as if nothing even happened in the first place. Celebrating in glee, each one seemed on a fritz of constant movement. Birds chirped in joy, deers scraped their horns against the opposite pair. Even wolves and coyotes came together and howled into the sky.
Randomly, the female's partner would break out of their rolling cycle and attempt to tackle her. At his third try, the chipmunk is certain that his next blow would do inflict damage. Sinking down on all fours, the mini mammal prepares to pounce, giving off an array of behavior said attack, by swishing his rump through the air a couple of times.
Four minutes passes by and it launches like a frog. Before the male could even bother to sail for at least a simple minute, a tight boulder collided with its tiny body. The chipmunk's organs and fur erupts like a volcano. Blood would spurt out of the damaged spot, including a fallen eye-ball. Said boulder hits the ground, flattening its victim with a tight grip.
This sudden random attack renders every last animal from chirping and growling in harmony, itching to capture a glimpse of the party crasher. Over to the left, acting out violently in a childish fit, reveals a figure wearing a swirled mask with the color of bright orange peels. If you could look ever so closely beyond the cover up, his exact image rivaled the dead co-founder of the village; Uchiha Madara. After the man's death, his soul still lingers like a stench in the air.
It floats along the earth's capacity during the many days, seeking revenge upon its fallen steady nuke's image takes over its earlier aspects.
You could call him a ghost, or just this simple resurrected form.
His rage could be traced among the mighty winds of triumph, "Damn that Minato! I almost had it.." he growled.
That exact sentence, threw a past event out into the opening like tossed poker cards. Hours before setting underneath the moon light, said male entered Konoha riding on the back of an electric red-orange furred fox with nine tails. Madara planned to single handily wipe out the village's status with just one swipe of its mighty tail, only to fail miserably. Slowly, an image of the enemy played in his mind. Shaking his head violently, he would turn away and watch the image reload from afar.
Mass waves of smoke rose from the grass, and swirled over, circling into a fair design of a male. Within minutes of back tracking, the teeth residing in his mouth would grind against another set located along the jaw line deep within.
In under a few minutes, this fragile memory plays back as in some type of hologram like state. Flickering movements produced a figure, settled high among the head of a colossal maroon colored frog, which stood a tall male with spiky lightning bolt hair and pulsing aqua eyes. Using his many knowledge of jutsus and noble strength, this exact replica of leader residing in the hidden leaves crushed his dreams upon controlling the chakra inflamed monster.
If only, his attempts at plunging the entire world underneath his Tsukuyomi powers will come true at this very moment. But not today. Now he finds him self alone in the forest, while the Kyuubi remained sealed within a newborn baby back in his home village. The elder Uchiha signed deeply. Rubbing his temples, he tried to get rid of the build up clouding his throbbing brain. In order for him to take control of the entire village, he needs every bijuu under his control. But since there's no way to with the powerful kitsune's chakra, he must start lower.
For instance, he'll round-up a group of idiots and steal the lesser chakra monsters away by force.
That's if the world doesn't get in his way..
"Fear not.. for this is only the beginning.." his voice strained, only to snap at the memories taking over once more. "Fuck this! I need to smash..." growled the perpetrator.
3...
..2..
...1...
'Oh hell no. I do not need a count down..'
Silence radiated throughout the field, until suddenly random quakes of vicious ground movements interrupts the numerical flow of patience. Keeping his boots still beneath the earth, a quick mimic with the actions of a stone, only to cringe at the sound of a distinct feral roar. He slowly turns around, facing a lone leopard from the other side of the forest. The male mindlessly surveys his opponent. Appearing bigger in size, the feline's gender ruled out any traces of femininity.
His fur seemed coated in dry blood from a previous kill while the skin apparently shown bones, hence the reason it wanted to bother him in the first place. Fueled by hunger, it rushes over towards him, fangs sparkling in the sun light. Using its paws to swipe at him, the leopard deals countless blows at the human trespassing on its territory.
"You will not fight me." the elder Uchiha demands crisply. Moving along the ground in a calm state, Sharingan circulating like an out of control wind mill. "Retreat back into your hole at once..."
The prowler tilts its massive cranium to the side, blinking like an actual confused human.
Right hand risen, Madara swings across and smacks the feline along the right side of its face. For the last time, the animal blinks in shock, then faces him, growling up a storm.
"Why are you doing this?" questioned the masked stranger. "I command thee to return to where once ye came."
"Grrrraauugghhhhhh!"
Tilting his own head to the side, an eye brow rose. "The hell are you mumbling about? I don't speak leopard."
The creature slowly paws through the distance, chasing directly after him. Drool began formulating from every corner of its muzzle. Within ever full-blown minute, waves of instinct to feel victorious over a kill made him pursue this human even more. On the other side, Madara quickly jumps away his arms waved about, creating loose circulate air. The blast of texture rocketed across the atmosphere and landed a hit upon its face.
Said feline found gravity being reduced as it flies backwards towards the back of the forest, hitting a few trees. He waits for the said leopard to rebound, which happened rather quickly. Growling in anger, the tom's paws hit the soil once more. Inching closer, its will for revenge boils deep within the skin follicles. All of this sudden anger.. turning directly into a mount of fowl chakra. Smirking, he felt impressed with the creature's inability to step down and beg for mercy.
Now this older being usually doesn't cast this event aside to remove drama. Most of the time it's masked by his amusement and laid back attitude. But when push comes to shove, he will fight back in a triple play. When the right moment begins to open its doors for him, he will sit down on his throne hoisted in the sky, and be surrounded by hundreds of whores and cheese nips. That's only when he seizes each bijuu brought into existence.
Over come with joy, a pair of fists fly up over his head, "Once the plan reaches completion, I'll rule the world!"
Laughing like a maniac, the fit of positivity fell off point. Madara flew back when his earlier opponent thick skulled its way over to a random spot on his body. Knocking down a few trees, said nuke-nin gets up.
Leaning on a sunken tree trunk for support, "Seems like you're.." he trails steadily, placing his the tip of an index finger on a random spot of his mask. "back for round two.."
Refitting the swirly designed facial trickery back into place, he then slowly shrunk down into a fighting stance. The enemy from afar continued standing on all fours, suddenly hunching over low into the ground. It's entire body began trembling. Growling uncontrollably, a seep of orange energy exploded out of it's pores. Madara grew surprised by this improvement. In fact, the more he dwelled over that trump card the damn creature acquired, his focus turning angry and sloppy.
Slowly the scene developed into a diseased followship.
It had undergo some type of transformation. turned more feral, sporting what seems like a long energy tail .
"What's Kurama's power doing inside you?"
The discovery made him extremely angry.
How did this fool, let alone an animal, out of all people gain access to such a function?
Quickly he unsheathed a spare katana from off the length of his back. "You must be disposed of immediately!"
If he allowed this thing to roam past his range, then a bounty will follow suit. What if some screwed up corrupted fool decides to chain it up for a horrible purpose? No one must use this crude creation.
Since the match was of a level one-creature, he chose to end off the feline's life with a single turn involving pin wheels. The slowness caused by his kekkei genkai had made him end the deal at a faster death rate. Except, it seemed that the left over chakra hadn't split into thin air. Kicking away the dead carcass with his right foot, Madara proceeds with sticking a hand into one of the pockets stitched into the cloak he wore.
Reeling it out, a small object rested neatly in his palm. Said male was going to seal the energy away in this stone. He bends his knee caps in half towards his ninja sandals, lowering down into the grassy field. Stretching his hand out into the field, the scattered orange energy slowly warps from its place and into the device.
Suddenly a clot of bushes shake and rattle from behind. A lone visible eye narrows in suspicion as he waits patiently for the culprit to show its self. Who possibly could this figure be? Konoha nins? Cloud bimbos? Minato seeking revenge? Whoever their form reveals as, he'll take them down with a single vein crackling punch. Numerous minutes pass when a small kitten sticks its head out into the nightly breeze. Realizing who his watcher is, the hidden anger boils down into quirkiness.
"Tch.. seems like only just a kitten. How odd. Making me all giddy and shit like that.." he grumbles, raking a finger through his clothes. "I suppose I'll be on my way now.."
The cat moves about, trembling from lack of warmth.
Quite curious by this random stranger, a new personality blossomed in his soul. Not the 'I'mma kill you' rage, much like a simple 'Childish hippo' persona. Crouching low on both knees supported by the weight of said sandals, the male secures him self a closer range near this feline.
Rather then representing the height of that leopard he murdered before, this one seemed much like the opposite. Said small kitten was about the size of his palm. Madara sadly unable to tell what color it's eyes were, due to still being closed. The feline mews even more, sensing danger by his larger presence, and just wiggles away. Raising an eye brow, the man propped an elbow up his knee, and then laid there, secured in his own palm.
"Humph. You only seem eight days old. Where is your mother?"
Within minutes after asking the question, an answer did not follow..
He should have known better.
"It's okay. Not even the trees in this here forest talk back." he jokes, not sure if it's funny or not.
If only this kitten had gained its sight to gaze upon the tinge of pink flooding this man's cheeks beyond the professionally crafted mask. The very idea of actually owning a pet during his younger days had never been thought of besides just a few koi fish that were randomly plucked out of the stream and left sitting in his belly during lunch.
It didn't officially feel like that exact status since Madara regularly stole from the wealthy countries and tended only to his needs. Either way, he felt a tad lonely, so perhaps this feline might be as well due to the lack of a present kin. Coughing for a split second, he attempted to break the ice, and then shuffled his feet across the area like a crab, moving a bit closer to the kitten.
Lifting his right arm, the masked-convict extended the inches down into the ground and picked up his prize. After securing the feline in his grip, the tiny milk drinker surfaces up to his covered face for a quick investigation.
"That's strange. Why is your fur color..pink?" he strained, not sure of the situation at hand.
On whim, said cat burrows into his hand for warmth. Bit surprised by its feeble actions, the male started calculating on what exactly caused such a reaction that quickly; standing still, mid-autumn blasts of wind tugged on each leaf and narrow branches. Pardon his French, but perhaps that could be the simple answer. With a grunt, the elder Uchiha puts it into his cloak by securing it from falling with his hand then left in a flurry of leaves.
Light foot steps trailed along the low balance of the grass. As time passes, an annoying source of meowing followed. Instead he chose neither to respond, trekking forward in silence. Deciding to end the travel, he pauses mid-step.
Mumbling remains inaudible, mentioning silly stuff and such. "...This forest does not have edible food. Now hush before I stuff an acorn down your throat."
On whim, the mewing stopped. Madara smirks at his victory. Just then, he pauses for a bit and tilts his masked chin towards the sky. Darkness took over the entire village. Located in the streets, villagers scrambled from one area to the next, attempting to finish last-minute errands. It only took a few minutes for the mob to clear, leaving behind a seemly light breeze circulating like lifeless energy. However, it actually masked the power of a silent thinker. Unable to leave from his post, said being stood above the top of wooded a power line, circulating long connected power cables that at which scales for miles, stretching along the horizon.
With his intense vision scaling across the village, images of buildings and trade marks shift and recede before him. He was hungry, including his new kitten. Said man kept his vision stayed on a house with a light on from the inside. His acute hearing picked up on multiple meows and purrs made beyond the comfort of a home.
Madara had formed a conclusion involving a single person inside would know about taking care of a kitten. But what really bothered him the most was its gender. He can not advance forward without giving it the correct name. So he took off into the breeze and popped up near the door.
"Knock, knock." he murmurs, imitating the noise of a fist bashing against the wood. "Open up, it's the...um, pizza man." he confirmed randomly.
Suddenly a pair of feet rushes towards the door. Madara heard it well. Unfortunately, he wasn't here to deliver pies covered with cheese and numerous toppings. turns away and whistles a light tune. His muffled orchestra of music dies down when the foot steps stop. Facing the door, he then waits patiently for the oak entrance to open.
Standing at the opening of the house is a man, happy as ever to see a new face. "Good afte—" he greeted pleasantly, only to holler after noticing that the visitor represented terrorist status. "WAAAAH!" screams the man, flailing about in fright. "Please d-don't hurt me!"
Madara's right hand tightened around the young fellow's neck. "Let me into this sterile living quarters of yours. Within the indoors you will teach me how to take care of a cat." he demanded carefully. "Do I make my self clear?"
"Mm-hmm.." the man responses, nodding slowly in acceptance.
Once the answer clicks in his brain, the nuke-nin releases his deadly iron grip. Said victim caves down to the floor on his knees, hands spread out wide apart. Turning over his shoulder to view the intruder, a kick plowed up on his back side. Quickly his gaze changes over by the right side of a wall as he flew towards it. Hitting the solid matter, the male's head presses up against it. He remains still, listening to the sounds of feet strolling across the main room.
At last the Akatsuki member approaches him casually from behind. Reaching out, Madara grabs the back of the citizen's shirt, then throws him towards the opening of another area. Regaining his balance, he quickly scrambles back to his feet, making a run for it over to another room.
Watching the poor soul's vanishing act, the convict starts to trek behind him. The alarmed villager occasionally kept glancing back to see if the terrorist is sill following him. Picking up on his chakra, the guy laughs nervously tried to pick up some supplies for him to use.
"What is that?" a voice ponders.
Reacting on sync with the voice, he chucks a brush at the wall in surprise and turns around going, "W-w-what was what?" questioned the man, with a blend of teeth chatter.
"I asked you, what is that."
"Oh. That? It's a brush. Suppose to helps clear your kitten's build up of fur and dirt." he claims, ending with a toothy grin. "When you finish brushing them, their fur looks nice and shiny, as if smoothed out like a rock."
"Won't that harm it?"
"Not really.. just a growl here and there. Well, it only happens if you brush them a tad bit hard then they're used to."
Madara simply nods in understanding, holding back on asking any more questions.
Doing something else, the man fiddles around with some items located on the floor. Placing each token back in a woven basket, he then carefully lowers down onto both knees.
"Here kitty, kitty, kitty." cooed the man, clicking his tongue. "Where is the mother? I know she's around here somewhere."
Over in a corner near the fire place revealed two kittens sleeping underneath their mother's stomach. and out into the opening. Said queen slept peacefully from daily play, making it easier for them to leave. Yuki's fur seemed as if she was a mobile snow angels pet. Unlike his sister's own coating of white powder, Toboe's own pelt shined in a light gray color. Taking notice of this, Uchiha-san ponders over his own kitten.
"Is there ever such a thing as a pink cat?" he asks out the blue.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" questions the man, oblivious to the question sculpted. "In fact, where did you find the cat? All of this sounds like a joke.."
"Don't bitch about this, I have direct evidence over my claim." Madara explains carefully, digging into his cloak. Pulling something out, "See? It's still a new-born.."
Within moments, the man's eyes widen in shock. "Huh? Let me see that..." He demands, taking the kitten into his arms, studying the fluff ball carefully. "Wow, I never seen a pink cat before in my entire life."
"That doesn't answer my question. Why does her main fur color mimic a child's coloring utensil?"
"Um.. I think that might be a mutation in the DNA. Nothing serious.."
The feeling of relief takes over his emotions, causing him to sign softly. "Is there anything these cats eat or drink or eat?"
"Well, mostly liver, chicken, fish, and sometimes even vegetables. For now since these little guys are still kittens, they can only drink their mother's milk."
"That's not possible. Her mother is hardly available at the moment, including the father."
"It's normal for the a tom's disappearance. Except not exactly for a first time mother." Explains the man, kinda baffled by the situation. "Which is quite strange indeed..."
"Such a horrible set of fate for a single cat. My parents were present during the rest of my childhood.. including my brother."
"I know that already.. which is why I chose not to alert the police force of your presence." he says hauntingly, looking up at the convict. "Do you wish to leave?"
On whim, said statement puts the masked wearing leaf-native on high alert.
"No, I don't." Madara replied lazily, carry on with the conversation. "So, you do know minimal facts about me..." he speculates in a low form of awe. "Anything else?"
Changing his mind, "You know what? I really don't mind any of this at all.. This cat is far more important than your criminal record."
"Indeed." he would respond gruffly.
"Oh yeah, by the way... My name is Yuta."
Staring blankly at the man, "...Pleasure to meet you. Now do you have anything in stock for this creature?" he mentioned curtly.
"Why yes I do. Just simple stuff such as standard cat food packed with minerals and antioxidants."
-x-X- x-X -X-x-
Months passed since giving away a lost kitten to some old bystander living in lousy village. Madara grew accustomed with the changes, occasionally visiting Yuta's house over and over. Sometimes he would get himself into a bit of a scuffle, leaving him no choice but to skip town and squat else where till the coast was clear.
Ever since finding it, a mute discovery representing the exact essence of humble attributes about taking care of another living thing baffled him. Except he couldn't continue to ponder those thoughts, leaving now and then on a quest outdoors.
The nuke's actions thrive on a strict balance of killing famous bystanders and forcing minimal nuke-nins to join his organization. Even though traveling enlists being gone for such a short period, his next killing still resides in the village. He plans to visit the area tonight.
Fixated on making spotty appearances, most are bloody and unnecessary tactics to cover his tracks. At the moment, he slipped into the area undetected. A light breeze scoops up leaves and other spare objects, even flicking loose strands of hair off people both skinny or solid. Retracing his steps, he creeps over to the house in silence.
The atmosphere above him gave off the usual darkness around this time, making it a lot more easier for him to maneuver through the streets on the prowl. He carefully walks along the side of the building. Finding a perfect window just for him, a single right arm slowly ascends up to his chest. Stretched back behind his head, it's sent sailing into the front.
Said male didn't bother to flinch from the source of pain as his fist impaled the glass. Madara rolls it through in circular motions, causing the shattered shards to break off. He remains silent as the scattered pieces riddled with sharp edges falls carelessly to the ground, cracking upon hitting its dusty texture. Clearing the glass away so he could find the door knob.
The elder Uchiha found it at once and opens the door.
He place a right leg into the house, and then another, wandering down further.
"Why hello there. Haven't seen you in a longgggg time."
Said visitor easily recognized the voice.
Barely moving a muscle, he keeps quiet for a moment longer.
"Would you care to sit down for a cup of tea?" Yuta offers kindly, lifting up a metallic dispenser.
Madara quickly sensed that the room felt much hotter then usual. Scanning around for it's source of higher temperature he spotted some kettle perched carefully on the table.
"No thank you, I'll pass." said strange denied politely, lifting up the flaps attached to his trench coat. "Isn't there any type of curfew here?"
"Only for the kiddes though. Either way, I cannot dare to think about sleeping right about now." the villager ends with a chuckle, waving it off.
"And why is that?" Uchiha-san pondered suspciously.
"I've had this really terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach for a while now..." Yuta mentions in a low voice, indicating it by placing a hand over by his stomach, "reminded me to... stay awake tonight."
Attempting to change the subject, "That's enough. I need to get back to my business..."
Taking a few steps along the floorboard, said wandering nin finds himself in the previous room where he left the kitten. Beyond his mask, he took notice of sudden movements belonging to a scurrying ball of fluff, apparently having its eyes open, ears twitching and everything. The tiny thing flies across the room and claws at a jingling ball.
"She has gotten rather stronger now." spoke a distant voice.
Bit confused, a free hand would lift and scratch beneath the chin, "That's strange.. I thought she, was a he." Madara brought up casually.
The figure takes a step out of the shadows, "Not really. You can't actually figure out the gender until the genitals rise up from their outer skin.."
"I hardly harbored a clue about that."
Yuta grins "My word. You need to learn more about the basi-" and takes a few steps forward,
Interrupted from finishing his sentence, an event changing scene take folds directly in the living room. Madara already vanished from his spot, popping up over in the left, neither wielding a tainted weapon. Given no time to escape from the dangerous motive, a sword swiftly slips into his tender upper body. The stab slipped through quickly, feeling like a needle digging up in his flesh.
Moments pass since the assault. Yuta signed once more of the symptoms took hold. Eyes quaking in shock, he looses his balance and topples down to the floor. Laying there on his left side, intense sharp gasps for air beg for mercy. Afterwards, blood spills out from within the veins, flooding the entire body; Making an exit from the wounds, even dribbling off the tongue.
Some blood lingers on the man's taste buds, sliding down the throat, and into the male's stomach. The trail of fluids had kept him on a fit of coughing as if he's on fire. Once the flow stopped traveling, there was another moment for Youta to regain his strength.
Hoarse breaths followed suit, "Sweet heavens, you seem to have.. betrayed me." Said male only laughs for a bit and puts his hand up to his chest and covers his heart.
"I never considered becoming an ally to you." Madara replied back, reeling back his hand.
Slowly the sword started separating from Yuta's stab wound. He found it difficult to relax, filching in pain as the weapon slid across a wall of blood vessels.
Within a few seconds it had succeed. More blood seeped out, developing a short trail near the masked figure's towering figure.
"I originally planned out using your housing complex for hospitality."
"Please don't lie sir... everything wasn't for you." taunted the sickly man. "I-it..was .. certainly for Sakura.." he croaked, blood trickling down his pale blue lips.
"Did you name her after the attributes of tree?"
"Yes I did. Sakura's odd color brings back memories... filled with cherry blossoms."
Madara sent a cold glare at the fallen citizen.
An old man such as himself obviously couldn't fight back, so it was an easy kill. Perhaps maybe too easy.
In another area of the house, a blob of pink stalked over to an inky red substance. Feeling curious, she would step on the blood, and then stare down at her soiled front paws. She seemed to lap over the blood with her tongue; lapping it up feverishly like sugary syrup. For she has just experienced the real taste of death..
"Sakuranbo, we must leave."
Frowning at such an awful nick name, 'No, no! My name is Sakura-chan, not the fruit!'
Taken by surprise, Madara slowly moves back. His back accidentally bumping up against a book-case.
The feline's head dips down, 'I dunno...aren't cats suppose to talk?' she questions curiously, blood trickling down her whiskers.
"Don't touch any thing else." Madara commanded sharply, heading straight for the kitchen.
Sakura shook violently, 'But why?'
Over in the next room, the wanderer spent his time maneuvering around, searching for any type of material that can easily cleanse fresh body fluids. Gazing ahead in a split angel of motions, his eyes traced the designs of utensils and creations like cabinets, a sink, and other functions for daily needs. Reaching out to grasp a container, many thoughts surged through his mind; Mostly, about Youta's death.
Will anybody find the body and attempt to remove it?
In fact, aren't there any security in this district at all? Past experiences possibly could lead them here. Grumbling to him self, he locates the cylinder like substance in a cabinet. Removing the paper towels from out said chosen storage, Madara quickly heads for the opening of the kitchen. Within a few seconds there was a short pause.
He continue to stare straight ahead. Allowing the scene to set in his mind, a spell of confusion swept over his body. The kitten from before stood at the front. Covered in blood, she just stared at him. Taken aback by the blurriness of raw blood, he scoffed.
"You weren't suppose to roll around like a dog.." Madara pointed out lazily. 'Such a strange cat.'
Sakura meows strangely, 'What's with the um...' she questioned in puzzlement.
"Towels. These are-" he explained, pausing in time before mentioning what it was. "Who is speaking to me?"
Rushing towards him, her paw bats below at his feet. 'Towels! Can I have them?'
Looking down, "Hm?" The male questions, takes a few steps back. "Do not harm your savior."
'What are you talking about? That ojii-chan helped raised me!'
Hissing from the lack of understanding, another sound bellowed from up front.
The kitten sat her self down on the tiles, 'Aren't ya gonna check?'
"No..."
Plopping over, she rolls on her back. 'Well, can you scratch my belly instead? I wanna play!'
"I cannot play with you at the moment."
Out of nowhere, a knock on the door played through. Numerous voices follow afterwards.
Sucking his teeth, the man's gums turn red. Madara summoned up a light amount of chakra, shifting his weight over to the kitchen window.
He plans to use this as an escape route. Except, what about the cat? The male couldn't get to her now. Said Akatsuki remained out of reach till the coast was clear. Tucked away hidden in the darkness, placing more weight on the sill in a crouched posture. Perhaps his cover wouldn't get blown this way.
Intense banging followed suit. The banging hardly signaled of a supernatural occurrence. Not even a goat head butting the oak.
Or perhaps he had dug deep into his imagination way too much. Attempting to ignore that thought, the front door busts open. The one lone iris visible beyond his mask took notice of a group of traveling ANBU. Leaving un-detected seemed the best option about now.
Lifting his foot, it suddenly lowers back down. Ears rising up in high alert; There had been a noise that slipped through the cracks. Descending his handicapped vision over to the oak tiles, something bright caught his full attention.
'Why aren't you leaving? They're going to get you!' she mewed frantically, paws scratching up against the oak sink. 'Run, runnn!'
More noise thundered through out the house.
A silence cuts through, till harsh whispers and gasps explode into dust. They had discovered the body.
-x.X-X-x.X-X-x.-
Before it was too late, Madara had successfully escaped out through the window. He felt a tad guilty for leaving her behind. Thinking back on the previous actions, Sakura's probably wedged somewhere inside the house for protection from the local police force. Yet of course, the only crucial moment he enjoyed the most, was murdering the witness of his continuous travels.
Even though Yuta's expression couldn't be scene through his killer's hollow mask, the intense loud screams were surely enough. Despite such a magical evening, still one question came to mind. What exactly seemed the point in sacrificing one's well being for some feline?
'Perhaps I might never get the chance to figure it out...' the convict mused, carrying on through the forest.
He continues to press forward, coming across another village. This one seems fairly wide spread, co-existing with shinobis and civilians alike. Except what seemed different about him, was practically everything. So far nobody can pin point who exactly stayed hidden within this mysterious get up. Clothes, stature, even the very head band that's been kept hidden for so long had actually been fastened around his neck for all to see.
Like so, the design wasn't of his home town at all. Either one of the present villages insignia he chooses off the tip of his nose will always be double checked by the villagers either young or old. Not like this nuke-nin even gave a shit any way. Puffing up his chest, it drops, lips parting to release a sharp sign. Staring straight ahead, his ears picked up on a small vocal tune centering around light giggles.
Both eyes mind you, not one, scanned through the unkindly scenery, settling on a group of kunoichis. ...Girls? Why were they all staring like that? The purpose of this henge was to avoid with getting caught, not becoming a target for giggling bug-eyed members of the opposite sex. He had experimented on his current age before entering the village. Apparently it had decreased, representing a younger being.
This troupe obviously is unaware of this low rank pitiful genjutsu. 'How stupid...'
"Um, no offense.. but why did even you bother to keep that cat from the victim's house again?" spoke a far away voice. "It would have been suitable to release her back in the wild.
Another solider joined in, "Dunno. Thought it would be a cute present for my daughter." he explains, inspecting the little discovery at face view.
"How so? We're alway told to release the animals or take em to a shelter, not keep them." rehearsed the not so positive partner.
Tired of hearing the little verbal spat Madara simply side step over to the right so no one could see him, then goes ahead and disables the henge. Lowering his chakra so nobody would detect him, he stood there, listening in on the current conversation. Within seconds into the word over flow, a careless attitude rammed into his brain. The original topic seemed to have break away, suddenly refreshed by a random joke. Quickly the masked nin scoffed. 'I already spoke of that. There's no difference to what I thought of.'
"How exactly though? It looks so weird." spoke a non thankful being.
"You're weird. Now if you don't mind...I need to think of a name for this little guy."
"That cat within your grasp does own a male genitalia." piped a vacant voice. "Remove her from your wretched captivity or else."
"Hmm? Who the fuck said that?" the first person questions, pupils darting all over the place.
Randomly a kick brushes up against the rough cracked skin of his right jaw. Accepting the blow without straining to use any blockage chakra, it manages to thrust the male backwards. Unable to control a temporary balance loss, his back slams into a hard substance.
Impacting the brick pattern, an ever lasting pain exploded from the present nerve points on the nin's spine. Wincing out in pain, said shinobi slowly slides down the solid material, setting his lower half on the ground. Leaning back against a wall for support, he hardly pays attention to spare bricks drizzling like destructive hail. Dropping down with such a force, minor pieces bounce all over the place as if exploding pop corn kernels. Madara didn't pay much mind, walking closer to his victim.
Over at a decent distance, his partner trembled in fear. "W-what are you?" he stuttered in fright, looking on in fear. "ANSWER ME RIGHT NOW!"
Turning down the demand over revealing such a simple name, his present form randomly vanishes. Watching the being erupt into black clouds, a surprised gasp follows suite, critically escaping from said man's lips. Unable to track down the trouble making stranger, he suddenly suffers from a tight hysteria.
While the stressed nin continued with his mass blockage of focus, he seemed completely unaware that the kitten still remained in his grasp. Twisting and turning, Sakura squirmed around constantly within the narrow depths of his palms.
She suddenly stops dancing, freezing in place.
Quickly the critter recognizes a second chakra surge, including a fading one that once belonged to a conscious shinobi.
Minimizing in size, her mouth remained open, meowing loudly in hope that Madara traces her constant whining. The spurge to repeat such an annoying fades when a hand slammed down on her back. Displaying fleeing motions of a Caterpillar, another short pause follows suit.
As if knowing who had hovered directly in front of her kidnapper, she looks up into the lone eye of a previous accomplice. Baseless shadows coated the walls, including red blood. Slowly the balance holding her up perished. Barely finding any comfortable space, the feline lowers down against a dusty surface. Her neck raises, face staring into the mask of said killer.
One hollow pupil greeted her. Including a katana dipped in a strange substance. Like ink, it slowly spreads downwards towards the hilt. Thinning out into a tiny droplet, it suddenly falls over onto the ground.
However, Sakura could hardly trace such a crimson color of human blood.
Which was okay, since neither could he.
Q and A Debate! V4
Q: Why is Sakura a stray cat in this fic?
A: I wanted to try something different. Instead of her being a human then turning into a cat, it's been reversed. Get it?
Q: What are you talking about? That's still the same like any other idea.
A: I hardly think it is. If you give this story a chance, it might even change your mind.
Q: Moving on, movin on! Why did Madara out of all people take her underneath his dark wing?
A: It's the start of the story! Personally, I'm slightly bored by the 'Itachi finds her' plot device.
Q: Oi, your Madara is a fake. Aren't you gonna change him?
A: Hell no. Sakura is not aware of this 'difference.' I'm using that as a plot device for the upcoming scenes.
Q: Will there be any romance in the beginning?
A: I cannot say. Even if there was, the elements of romance would turn up crummy.
Q: Speaking of people, will Sakura be turning into one?
A: I'm debating on keeping her a cat for the first fifteen chapters or more. So yeah, it's possible.
Q: Hey you! Not all the members are present!
A: This story features behind the scenes during the Akatsuki time line. Most of them will come in piece by piece.
Q: Will any of the members die?
A: Of course. But I'm not mentioning which ones.
Q: Back to Sakura, will she be talking to the people around her?
A: No, and yes. Her thoughts will kept in italic.
Q: Will she ever visit Konohagakure no Sato?
A: Maybe. Quit asking questions!
Q: One more thing! What is the theme based on?
A: Well, I was thinking about "Ponyo" at the time. For example, one of main changes in the film centers on when she tastes human blood and then turns into a human, but still with all her powers intact. That's what I'm aiming for, minus the nekomimi.
Q: Will there be any OVAS?
A: I'm thinking about adding short stories towards the end. Or perhaps maybe create a separate story. Dunno...
Q: I'm not done harassing you yet. What the hell are the parings?
A: Honestly, I don't think there will be any... Perhaps a small coupling might pop up later in the series. No promises though! XD
Q: That's prosperous! There's always a damn paring.
A: Pfft..not all the time there has to be one. Like I said, who knows..
Q: How come there's still minor (yet extreme) grammar errors still present in most of the story?
A: Teehee. I'm not close to cleansing it yet. But that doesn't mean new chapters will be left out in the cold.
A/N: I've created this guide for any readers who felt confused after reading. Hopefully the little questions towards the end of chapter one cleared everything. It will permanently remain right here. Well, there we have it!
Thank you for reading. Please enjoy the rest of the story! :D